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Pregnancy Diet

When you are pregnant, it is important to eat a well-balanced, healthful diet. This includes getting the right amount of calories and key nutrients to support both you and your baby.

Calories

Since the amount of calories you need will vary depending on age, weight, and physical activity among other things, talk with your healthcare provider about a calorie plan that is right for you.

Key Nutrients

Along with talking about the amount of calories and types of foods you need to consume to achieve a well-balanced, healthy diet during pregnancy, your healthcare provider may also discuss the kinds of nutrients you will need. There are some key nutrients, such as
folic acid
and
iron
, which deserve extra attention during pregnancy. Many women may also benefit from a vitamin supplement.

Folic Acid

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should consume 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, or folate, every day. This mineral is most important during the first several weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
Getting enough folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects, such as
spina bifida
. It may also help prevent other birth defects like
cleft lip
and congenital heart disease.
You may also reduce your chance of having a
miscarriage
or
stillbirth
.

You can meet this requirement by eating a variety of foods rich in folic acid. For extra insurance, you may also want to take a folic acid supplement
before
you become pregnant and through your first trimester. (If you are taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folate, you do not need a separate folic acid supplement.)

Foods rich in folic acid include:

Fortified breakfast cereal

Whole-wheat breads

Orange juice and citrus fruits

Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and romaine lettuce

Legumes

Iron

Iron is a mineral that helps red blood cells transport oxygen around the body. The recommended amount of iron for pregnant women is 27 milligrams (mg). Not getting enough of this mineral can lead to
iron-deficiency anemia
and pregnancy complications.

Good sources of iron include:

Lean red meat

Poultry

Fish

Dried fruits

Fortified breakfast cereals

Eating
vitamin C
-rich foods along with iron-containing foods can help with iron absorption. On the other hand, drinking tea or coffee at the same time can inhibit iron absorption.

Because it can be difficult to get all the iron you need from food alone, it is often recommended that all pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin that contains the necessary iron amount. Talk to your physician about iron supplementation. Taking too much iron can be toxic.

Calcium

During pregnancy you also need
calcium
. When you do not consume enough calcium, your body takes it from your bones, increasing your risk of
osteoporosis
later in life.

Good sources of calcium include:

Low-fat or nonfat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese

Fish canned with bones

Green leafy vegetables

Fortified soy milk or rice milk

Fortified orange juice

Other calcium-fortified foods

If you do not eat dairy products or enough foods fortified with calcium, talk to your healthcare provider about calcium and
vitamin D
supplementation. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb and use the calcium.

Additional Considerations

Vitamins

During pregnancy the body becomes extra efficient at absorbing the nutrients in food. If you are eating a variety of healthful foods every day, you may not need a supplement. However, many women may benefit from taking a prenatal multivitamin. Some may need only an iron or folic acid supplement. Others may need an iodine supplement if deficient. Talk to your healthcare provider about your eating and lifestyle habits to determine if you should take a vitamin supplement.

Alcohol

No safe amount of alcohol has been shown in pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that you abstain from drinking until after your pregnancy.

Caffeine

Most experts agree that having one or two cups of coffee or tea per day is fine during pregnancy. There is some research has linked high intakes of caffeine (more than 300 mg per day) with greater difficulty to conceive and a higher rate of
miscarriages
. One cup of brewed coffee contains about 135 mg of caffeine, one shot of espresso contains about 35 mg, one brewed tea bag contains about 50 mg, and a 16-ounce serving of cola has about 50 mg. Talk to your healthcare provider about how much caffeine you drink.

Seafood

Seafood is an excellent source of
omega-3 fatty acids
, which are essential for the proper brain development of the fetus. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women include seafood, particularly fatty fish such as salmon, as a regular part of their diet.

Some seafood contains high amounts of mercury, a contaminant that can be harmful to the developing baby. Fish that should be avoided due to their high mercury content include: tilefish, king mackerel, swordfish, albacore tuna, and shark.

Good choices include salmon, sardines, catfish, canned light tuna, and shrimp. These are both high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury.

Nuts

If you do not have a peanut allergy, you may want to consider consuming peanuts to lower the risk that your child will have a peanut allergy.

Food Safety

To avoid the risk of foodborne illness, which could harm you and your developing baby, it is important to pay close attention to food safety during pregnancy. Here are some general guidelines:

When preparing food, avoid cross-contamination of raw meats or poultry with other foods

Cook meat to recommended temperatures

Thoroughly reheat leftovers

Avoid luncheon meats and hot dogs unless reheated until steaming

Drink only pasteurized juice and milk

Avoid raw or soft cheeses

Artificial Sweeteners

Most artificial sweeteners are considered safe for use in moderation during pregnancy, including: acesulfame K (Sunett), aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal), and sucralose (Splenda). But more research is needed on saccharin (Sweet’N Low) and stevia, these should, therefore, be avoided by pregnant women.

Fluids

Staying well-hydrated is important for the health of you and your baby, so try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. Make sure your water does not contain excess nitrate as in water from some private wells. Other beverages, such as juice and soda, also contribute to hydration, but tend to be high in calories and low in nutritional value.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Position of the American Dietetic Association: nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome.
J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:1479-1490.

The caffeine corner: products ranked by amount. Centers for Science in the Public Interest website. Available at:
http://www.cspinet.org/reports/caffeine.pdf. Published December 2012. Accessed November 17, 2014.

USDA
national nutrient database for standard reference. US Department of Agriculture website. Available at:
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov. Accessed November 17, 2014.

Vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. March of Dimes website. Available at:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/vitamins-and-minerals-during-pregnancy.aspx. Updated March 2009. Accessed November 17, 2014.

7/13/2014 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Council on Environmental Health. Iodine deficiency, pollutant chemicals, and the thyroid: new information on an old problem. Pediatrics. 2014 May 26.